SACRAMENTO, CALIF. — Two female California state lawmakers have condemned Oscar host Seth MacFarlane’s comments during Sunday’s awards presentation as degrading toward women and asked the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to use better judgment in the future.

Member of the assembly Bonnie Lowenthal and Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, both Democrats who lead the legislature’s women’s caucus, sent a letter to Academy President Hawk Koch on Tuesday, requesting that the organization disavow MacFarlane’s behaviour.

They objected to the comedian’s focus on the physical appearance of several actors and quips about nude scenes.

“Furthermore, there was a disturbing theme about violence against women being acceptable and funny,” the lawmakers wrote. “From topical jabs about domestic violence to singing about ‘boobs’ during a film’s rape scene, Seth MacFarlane crossed the line from humour to misogyny.”

MacFarlane’s performance has drawn multiple critics since Sunday’s show. Blogs compiled highlights of his punch lines, which included a song that referenced leading ladies who have bared their breasts on film that were accompanied by reaction shots from those actors.

He also made light of a domestic violence incident between rapper Chris Brown and singer Rihanna, and joked about the heavy accents of several Latina actors.

In their letter, the lawmakers noted the Violence Against Women Act currently under debate in Congress and a resolution that the legislature passed supporting the act’s reauthorization. Better judgment is needed in the academy’s future decisions regarding its awards show hosts and their material, they said.

“This should be a celebration of artists in the filmmaking industry, not an offensive display of disrespect toward women that sets the fight for gender equality, dignity, and respect back decades,” they wrote.

A repeat hosting performance by MacFarlane doesn’t look likely. Asked Tuesday on Twitter if he would host the Oscars again, he replied, “No way. Lotta fun to have done it, though.”